For a month, my Google Pixel 8 has become a test field to find the best personal knowledge management application (PKM).
Although the notion, the obsidian, the capacities and any type promise to be the ultimate “second brain” on the desktop, the real test of a PKM application is the way it fits perfectly into our lives – and for millions, it means the experience of the Android application.
I devoted 30 days to use these four main contenders intensely on my Android phone. I tested everything, from the functionality of the widget and the fast -line access speed and overall stability.
Let’s review and conclude which of these four knowledge giants deserves a place on your Android home screen.
Notion
Packed with features
Over the years, I have seen the concept seriously commit to improving, and the Android application is surely not the slow and clumsy web packaging that it was before.
The developers began to use native components for many areas and, therefore, the Android application launches up to 3x faster than before.
However, despite all the work under the hood, the biggest defect in the concept is its lack of real experience of rapid capture. The concept is designed for the office public, and it clearly appears in its Android application.
I had to use Google Keep just to write my quick thoughts and ideas on the go.
The widget of the home screen is a welcome addition and an excellent idea, but when I press the Plus button, it simply creates a new generic page.
What I really need is a sticky notes type functionality that bypasses the complete workspace.
That said, when you look beyond the initial capture speed, you remember why the notion is such a beast.
Having all my databases, automated and my models carefully constructed instantly available is excellent. No other application of this category offers as many features as the concept.
Obsidian
Graphics, plugins, canvas and more
When I look at the obsidian mobile application, I feel a real mixture of fear and frustration.
The key characteristic that distinguishes obsidian for me is the possibility of creating and accessing a whole safe directly on my device. In addition, these are Markdown files, which means that my notes and my knowledge are the test of future.
Obsidian mobile applications support the view of the graphic, community plugins, canvas and all the main features of Android. I have all my second brain with me, ready to link, visualize and expand my thoughts, no matter where my pixel is or if I have a signal.
But the application suffers from the same fundamental problem as the concept: it does not seem native on Android. When I launch the application, especially after being in the background for some time, I receive this significant loading time.
The rapid capture process is also a nightmare because it does not have home screen widgets. I have to launch the application, select a safe, go to a folder and create a new Markdown file.
Obsidian is a fantastic mobile editor when open, but as a mobile capture tool, it constantly reminds me that it is an office application surrounded by my smartphone.
Anytype
An ideal balance of functionality and confidentiality
After using the concept and the obsidian, I finally got to a real competitor, and for me, it is something like. It is the PKM application that really is on the mobile promise.
It brings the best of both worlds – the structured power of the concept and intimacy and the speed of the obsidian. This is the PKM application that I suggest most.
First, Anytype has a native application on Android, and it seems robust and fast. The fact that it is designed to be offline first and supports the encryption from start to finish gives me the confidentiality and the control of the data that I like in the obsidian.
The integrated publisher is a pleasure to use. The publisher based on blocks supports the Slash command, and I had no problem format the pages as I wish. And as the concept, this also allows me to create complex databases with several views.
The list of features continues with a graphic view, a customizable house, a wallpaper and several objects to browse your pages.
My only request for main feature for the future would be the host screen widgets.
Capacities
A unique approach to PKM
Abilities is the other capable competitor who made me a huge impression, mainly because it offers a completely different but convincing means of organizing information.
The knowledge management system based on capacity objects requires the largest learning curve.
Instead of simply creating nested pages or files, you need to create objects for things like people, books, ideas or meetings, each with their own set of personalized properties and fields.
It is a mental model completely different from the other three applications, and after it clicks, it makes the organization intuitive.
Where the capacities shine the brightest on my Android device is its user experience. It offers fast and dedicated rapid capture feature that allows me to record text, links or images of my favorite applications in capacities.
I also appreciate the integrated accent on daily notes and the view of the functional graphic.
However, entering this object -based system means that there is a huge initial learning curve.
You really need efforts to define my own types of objects and understand how they should interact. He also does not support encryption from start to finish.
Do not buy media threw
After a month of testing these four giants of knowledge management on my pixel 8, the verdict is clear.
Although the concept and the obsidian are productivity powers on the desk, they still have a long way to go when it comes to providing the same fluid experience on Android.
Capacities and Anytype have done an excellent job with their native mobile applications. But they come with a slight learning curve, and if you are comfortable with the initial hiccups, you cannot be mistaken with any of them.
As for me, I decided to stick to Anytype because of its robust confidentiality, its features, its open source nature and its offline design.
However, at the same time, I keep closely how the other PKM tools evolve on the mobile scene.
